Vidic hails United spirit

23 February 2009 10:32

Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic insists that his side's great team spirit is the reason why they are currently fighting on four fronts.

The centre-back has been arguably United's best player this season and has even been touted as a possible PFA Player of the Year candidate, something that would cap what could be a remarkable season.

United travel to Italian champions Inter Milan on Tuesday, a game Vidic will miss through suspension, for the first leg of their UEFA Champions League clash before facing Tottenham in the Carling Cup final on Sunday.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side have already won the Fifa Club World Cup in December and currently sit seven points clear at the top of the Premier League with an FA Cup quarter-final tie with either Fulham or Swansea to come in March.

But the Serbian international reveals that there is no secret to their success other than that all the players get along with each other.

"You cannot have good results without a great atmosphere in the camp that is a reality, every club needs that," he told Fifa's official website.

"But the most important thing is that the atmosphere is not fake, it must be genuine and good natured. We have a great team spirit.

"After that, when you have quality players like we have at United, good results are normal."

CollectivelyThe 27-year-old is also adamant that there is no secret formula to account for United's record breaking defensive run, which was finally ended on Saturday when Blackburn striker Roque Santa Cruz became the first player to score past them in the league since November.

"We have no secret, that is true," he added.

"During the last few weeks some players who were not playing earlier on in the season have come into the team and been brilliant, showing what a strong squad we have.

"They've done really well. The most important thing is that we are strong collectively, as a team."

The former Spartak Moscow man's partnership with Rio Feridnand at the heart of the United defence has been key to their success over recent seasons and Vidic reveals that the pair are not just together on the field.

"We spend a lot of time together during matches, training, travelling, meals or other activities," he said.

"So of course we have a great relationship off the pitch just as we do on it."